Wine… 10 Benefits…

Yes, you have guessed it!

One of my favorite things.

And what makes it even better, is when you know there is health benefits to it!

We drink it with a nice dinner. We can’t wait to pour a glass after a long day. When we gather for a celebration, IT always finds its way to the table.

Yes, we're talking about WINE!

Wine is the center of happiness. It relaxes our mind and brings smiles to faces. Beyond the mental happiness, drinking wine can be good for your physical health when it comes to…

Moderate consumption.

We hear that a glass of wine can be good for us, but how exactly does wine contribute to our health? There are new studies that appear to be constantly backing up the health benefits of drinking wine for moderate drinkers. From decreased mortality rate to attacking cancer cells, a little wine at the end of the day can go a long way when it comes to beneficial effect.

The series of three "10 Benefits" continues....

I have left the best one for last...
Wine!

I am very happy to share the health benefits of wine.

I am sure these benefits will inspire you, that you might just pour another glass tonight.

Before we talk health benefits though, let’s talk pour size. How much can we pour and how much is good for you? How much is considered as moderate consumption? It can be hard to gauge what an appropriate pour size is given the varying sizes and shapes of wine glasses. Saying that, if you like your over sized wine glass, it doesn’t mean you have to fill it up to the brim.

A proper glass of wine is a 150ml pour. And when we say “moderate drinking”, that means what is clinically considered to be healthy. For women, it’s one glass a day and for men it’s two – I know ladies, we get the short end of the stick. Wish more meant better, but that’s life.

Now that we got that straightened out, let’s get to the fun part. Pour yourself a glass, and take a look at the ten ways wine benefits your health.

1. IT CONTAINS ANTIOXIDANTS.

In the battle against fighting off free radicals that cause terrible health problems such as cancer, wine could be your answer. Wine is full of antioxidants that attack free radicals when they come lurking around. When choosing your wine for antioxidants, you probably wonder should you have red or should you have white?

Go with white.

Most of us believed that red wine is the healthier option but in actual fact, white wine seems to be healthier due to higher quantities of phenols (which seems to be the healthy factor). According to a study done by the University of Barcelona scientists found that the phenols in white wine had equal, if not higher antioxidants, than those in red wine.

2. IT BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM.

Moderate consumption of wine can ward off infections and keep your immune system in check. That being said, you probably shouldn’t stop taking your daily vitamins, but drinking a glass of wine daily can give your immune system a boost.

Don't get too carried away, though.

Excessive consumption can lead to negative effects that defeat the whole purpose or drinking wine for an immunity boost.

3. IT INCREASES BONE DENSITY.

As we get older, our bones get more brittle. You could increase your calcium intake by drinking milk, or you can do yourself a real favor and sip on a relaxing glass of wine.

I never thought this is the case.

Red wine has high levels of silicon, which is great for your bone mineral density. It increases the density and reduces the chance of osteoporosis.

It may help you doze off at night (just like warm milk).

4. IT REDUCES THE RISK OF STROKE.

Moderate consumption of wine can prevent blood clotting. Wine acts as a natural blood thinner, breaking up any blood clots that could lead to a stroke.

This lower risk of blood clotting is more beneficial to females than males.

Red wine, in particular, contains phenols that act as a blood thinner in a similar regard to aspirin – and resveratrol is mostly to thank. A study done by John Hopkins University Medical Center found that resveratrol found in red grape skins could protect against stroke when the grapes were turned into wine.

Beware, while light to moderate consumption may be good in preventing a stroke, heavy drinkers are more likely to have the opposite effect, resulting in a higher risk of heart attacks, not a lower risk.

Like all good things in life, moderation is key!

5. IT REDUCES THE RISK OF HEART DISEASE.

In the battle against heart disease, is an ongoing battle but taking all necessary precautions is well worth it.

Especially when it involves wine.

The tannins found in red wine contain procyanidins – phenols which neutralize free radicals – that have shown to be effective in preventing cardiovascular disease.

According to WebMD, a study by researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa tested the effects of red wine on the health of blood vessels. What they found after 21 consecutive days of consumption was that blood vessel cell health was enhanced, improving the flow of blood. This increases the health of the heart, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease.

So the lesson is...

If you want a healthy heart, bite the bullet and drink a glass of wine. While the American Heart Association does not support drinking for nondrinkers or those at risk of alcoholism, those who already imbibe may continue light drinking for positive heart health.

6. IT CAN LOWER CHOLESTEROL.

Have bad cholesterol and no dietary guidelines?

Consume a healthy bowel of oats in the morning and stick to wine at night. Those procyanidins in red wine that promote a healthy heart also promote lower cholesterol.

This also means that red wine benefits blood pressure, so if you’re suffering from high blood pressure, it’s best to pour a glass. If you’re having trouble keeping your cholesterol levels on the good side, sip on a daily glass of medicinal red wine.

7. IT REDUCES THE RISK OF TYPE 2 DIABETES.

Let’s face it, diabetes flat out sucks. You can’t indulge in cravings without first considering the health repercussions that result in more than a larger waistline.

The good news!

If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, wine may help.

Resveratrol has been proven to improve sensibility to insulin. With insulin resistance contributing to type 2 diabetes risk, a nice glass of wine makes the list of things you can enjoy.

8. IT REDUCES THE RISK OF CANCER.

In the battle against cancer, wine may be on your side.

The risk of colon cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer can be reduced by drinking a glass of wine. Red wine especially is beneficial, as the resveratrol that fights against heart disease also fights against cancerous cells.

“Men who drink an average of four to seven glasses of red wine per week are only 52 percent as likely to be diagnosed with prostate cancer as those who do not drink red wine. In addition, red wine appears particularly protective against advanced or aggressive cancers.”

Not that we need another excuse to drink wine, but...

If it can help against the vicious battle against cancer, then we’ll happily pour a glass. If you’re looking for a red high in resveratrol, then opt for a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon.

9. IT IMPROVES COGNITIVE FUNCTION.

It may sound crazy, but drinking a glass of wine is like…

Food for the brain.

Drinking a single glass has shown to improve brain function. The chemicals in red wine prevent the brain’s neurons from dying off.

As a result, it protects the brain from dementia while slowing the onset of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The next time you do your brain exercises, drink a glass of wine to help you gear up.

10. IT PROMOTES LONGEVITY.

When you hear about healthy living and longevity, time and time again the Mediterranean diet comes up. At the core of that diet, beyond olive oil and vegetables, is wine.

There is something magical inside the daily glass of wine that increases life span.

And that magical thing is resveratrol.

Researchers at Harvard Medical School found that resveratrol activates a protein that acts as an anti-aging agent. The interaction increases overall health, thus promoting longevity.

If a decreased mortality rate is not enough reason to drink a glass of wine, then I don't know what else it.

Do yourself a favor, and pour a glass of wine and toast to your health.

Gretha

I am an Afrikaans girl who was once told to never speak English in public. I got married to an Englishman and now I am writing my stories as it comes, straight from my heart. I share my experiences, give advice and just share my opinions. I love life, my husband, my baby boy, and our 5 dogs. Working with, and helping people where- or however I can, brings me joy. Spending time outdoors is like food for my soul and therefore I just love being active by going for a run or riding my bike.

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About

Hi, I am Gretha and I'm a qualified biokineticist who decided to take a break and start telling stories instead. I love life, my husband, my baby boy, and our 5 dogs. I want to inspire, motivate and help women discover their true beauty the way I did. Being healthy and active is part of who I am.